Johnson College Programs Receive American Design Drafting Association Certification

Johnson College’s Architectural Drafting & Design Technology and Civil Design Technology 2-year Associate Degree programs have been awarded curriculum certifications from the American Design Drafting Association (ADDT) for the 2024-25 academic year.

The ADDA Curriculum Certification is a specialized copyrighted program certification developed by ADDA to assist education facilities and vocational training institutions in aligning their educational process to meet or exceed industry standards. The Curriculum Certification process is based on a thorough review of criteria used within the training program and requires teacher and facility certifications as well as standard auditing processes.

While the Architectural Drafting & Design Technology program has been certified in the past, this is the first time the College’s Civil Design Technology program has received certification.

Jim Burden, Johnson College Associate Director of Faculty and Program Director of the Architectural Drafting & Design Technology and Civil Design Technology programs became professionally certified with ADDA in 2014 and has held the title of ADDA Certified Educator since beginning his career at Johnson College five years ago.

“The certification of the Civil Design Technology program has been a goal of mine since its inception and has now come to fruition, for the benefit of our Civil students and recognition of the quality of the course of study,” said Burden.

Johnson College Receives $95,000 Grant from AllOne Foundation

Johnson College has been awarded a $95,000 grant from AllOne Foundation to update training equipment for its health science programs and to support community outreach to school-age and adult learners interested in pursuing training in the healthcare industry. The grant will assist the College in addressing Northeastern Pennsylvania’s healthcare workforce needs.

Providing students at Johnson College with the latest technology used in modern clinical settings is essential to their industry-focused, hands-on learning. The upgraded, cutting-edge equipment acquired through this grant will prepare students from Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology, and Medical Assistant programs for any environment they encounter during internships and post-graduate careers.

These upgrades will include a SynDaver Silicone Anatomy Model, which will allow Physical Therapist Assistant students to best understand the muscles that they will work in their daily careers; a portable digital X-ray machine for Radiologic Technology students; and an EKG machine for Biomedical Equipment Technology students.

Using Johnson College’s Careers in Healthcare RV, previously funded by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Healthcare Foundation and the Moses Taylor Foundation, the College will also visit regional schools, healthcare and employment fairs, and camps to meet with residents and discuss opportunities for careers in the healthcare field. Sample equipment within the RV will give people an inside look at careers in the Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology, and Medical Assistant fields.

To learn more about Johnson College’s health science programs, visit Johnson.edu.

Pictured left to right in front of a SynDaver Silicone Anatomy Model: John Cosgrove, CEO, AllOne Foundation; Dr. Katie Pittelli, President & CEO, Johnson College; Frank Apostolico, board member, AllOne Foundation; and Heather DeFazio, Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director, Johnson College.

Johnson College Receives $5,000 Grant from Robert H. Spitz Foundation

Johnson College has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation’s Spring 2024 grant cycle, managed by the Scranton Area Foundation, to support its Military and Veterans’ Resource Center for students and alumni who are affiliated with the military. The project is being directed by Dr. Natalia Melgarejo, Johnson College Student Success Coordinator.

The Johnson College Military and Veterans’ Resource Center, located on the College’s Scranton campus, will serve as a private space for military service members and veterans to study and develop a sense of community as students at the College. Both students and alumni will use the space to find peer support, discuss common concerns, celebrate connections, and share with others who have lived through similar experiences.

In addition to the new Resource Center, Johnson College provides services such as priority scheduling and registration to servicemembers, as well as assistance with military and veteran benefits.

Johnson College’s goal in serving military-affiliated families and veterans is to help ease the transition in starting, continuing, or resuming educational pursuits and to offer assistance with Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational benefits. Through its continued efforts to empower servicemembers to further their education, Johnson College was awarded the 2024-25 Gold Military Friendly® School designation from VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB) that connects the military community to civilian employment, educational, and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Institutions earning the Military Friendly® School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. More than 1,800 schools participated in the 2024-2025 survey, with 537 earning special awards for going above the standard.

About the Robert H. Spitz Foundation

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Robert H. Spitz was born in Scranton in 1955. He was a graduate of Scranton Central High School and the University of Miami, Florida. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation was established from his estate in 2015 and supports an array of projects and programs that are aimed at improving the community. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, has provided nearly $6 million in funding to the community. 

Johnson College’s Kimberly Konopka ’07, Inducted as an Inaugural Fellow of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators

Kimberly Konopka ’07, BS, AS, CVT, FVTE, Program Director of Johnson College’s two-year Veterinary Nursing Associates Degree program, has been honored as an inaugural Fellow of the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE). This prestigious designation recognizes Konopka’s exceptional dedication, expertise, and leadership in veterinary technician education.

The AVTE Fellows Program recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a profound commitment to advancing the profession through leadership, mentorship, and innovation in their daily efforts.

The inaugural class of AVTE Fellows was inducted at the 2024 AVTE Annual Conference in Houston, Texas. The selection process for this honor, a rigorous self-study, showcased Konopka’s dedication to the field.

“I am deeply honored to become an AVTE Fellow,” said Konopka. “This designation reflects my commitment to the profession and highlights the collaborative efforts of my colleagues and students who inspire me daily. I look forward to continuing to contribute to the growth and success of veterinary technician education.”

AVTE Fellows can use a new designation, “FVTE,” in all communications and have opportunities to participate in unique programming only available to fellows. AVTE is committed to supporting initiatives that the class of Fellows will design to advance veterinary technician education.

“To become a Fellow of the AVTE recognizes true commitment to our shared mission,” commented Jen Serling, AVTE’s Immediate Past President. “We are honored to recognize the collective achievements of our inaugural class of Fellows and believe that their collective voice will play a leading role in the future of veterinary care,” Serling concluded.

About the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators (AVTE):

AVTE focuses on promoting quality education in veterinary technology and supporting the professional growth of veterinary technician educators. The association provides resources, networking opportunities, and professional development to help members enhance their teaching skills and advance the profession.

Johnson College Enrolling for New Pharmacy Technician Program

Johnson College is now enrolling for its new Pharmacy Technician program, beginning at both its Scranton and Hazleton campuses. The program will run at Johnson College Scranton on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. starting October 7th. The program will run at Johnson College Hazleton on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. starting October 15th.

This comprehensive 50-hour program will prepare students to work as a pharmacy technician in retail or other pharmacy setting. Course content includes pharmacy medical terminology, the history of pharmacy, the pharmacy practice in multiple environments, pharmacy calculations and measurements, reading and interpreting prescriptions, and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Through classroom lectures and hands-on labs, students will review dosage calculations, drug classifications, the “top 200 drugs”, I.V. flow rates, sterile compounding, dose conversions, aseptic technique, the handling of sterile products, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and billing and reimbursement.

This program meets the requirements needed to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certified Board (PTCB) exam as well as the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Pharmacy Technician (PTAC) exam.

Participants of the Pharmacy Technician program will be eligible to participate in an optional, 80-hour clinical externship. Requirements for the externship include a resume; waiver; release form; statement of health; vaccines for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B series, Tdap (within the last 10 years); a TB test (within the last 12 months); background check; drug screen; and state registration if applicable.

The total cost of the course is $1,650 which includes textbooks, a PTCB exam voucher, and a PTCB prep course.

To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/pharmacytech/ or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 continuinged@johnson.edu.

Johnson College Scranton Enrolling for 285 Computer Numerical Control Course

Johnson College is now enrolling for its 285 Computer Numerical Control (CNC) course at its Scranton campus. The course will run Monday through Thursday from 4:00 to 10:15 p.m. beginning September 3, 2024, and ending November 25, 2024.

The 285-hour non-credit certificate Computer Numerical Control training is designed for individuals looking to enter the high-demand machining field. The course covers the theory and hands-on practice of both conventional and computer numerical control machining fields. In addition to math for machinists, emphasis on the use of metals and the stresses placed upon them will be taught.

The total cost of the course is $4,200. Participants must have a GED or high school diploma.

To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/285-computer-numerical-control-cnc/ or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

Johnson College Scranton Enrolling for Computer Support Specialist Course

Johnson College is now enrolling for its Computer Support Specialist course at its Scranton campus. The course will run Tuesday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. beginning August 27, 2024, and ending May 2, 2025.

The Computer Support Specialist course prepares students for a role in supporting computer users by installing, configuring, troubleshooting, and managing computers, hardware, wired and wireless networks. Upon completing this course, students will be able to support the IT infrastructure through installing and configuring systems to secure applications, networks, and devices as well as perform threat analysis and respond with appropriate mitigation techniques allowing end users to connect to the data they need to do their jobs regardless of the devices being used. This course is designed to prepare students to sit for the CompTIA A+ (Core 1 and Core 2) and CompTIA Network+ Certification exams.

The total cost of the course is $5,000.

To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/computer-support-specialist/ or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

Johnson College Scranton Enrolling Students in Forklift Operator Training Course

Johnson College now enrolling for its Forklift Operator Training Course on Saturday, August 17, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Diesel Truck Technology Center at its Scranton campus. The cost of the course is $200, but if you are a current Johnson College student or alum the cost is only $100. Space is limited!

The forklift operator training is designed to familiarize students with OSHA Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Requirements (29CFR Standard 1910.178 and ASME B56.1), provide current training requirements under the newly adopted standards, and assist participants in becoming an authorized operator of forklifts through theory and tactile testing. Nine hours of instruction including pre-operational inspection, picking up, traveling, and placing loads, parking procedures, refueling, and practical operation.

To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/forklift/ or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

Transfer Day at Scranton and Hazleton Campuses – July 31

Johnson College is holding a Transfer Day on Thursday, July 31, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Scranton and Hazleton campuses. The College is encouraging current college students who are interested in changing the direction of their education and ultimately their career path to visit its campus.

Students will meet with Enrollment, Financial Aid, Career Services, and Counseling and Disability Services representatives. In addition, staff members from the Registrar’s Office will be on hand for transfer credit analyses and to review potential schedules for the upcoming semester. Students will learn why Johnson College is the leader in hands-on education, how it exposes students to industry from day one, and how its two-year degree programs, focusing on careers in in-demand industries, have the highest return on investment in the short term. 

To attend Transfer Day at Johnson College, students must register online at Johnson.edu/transfer or contact the College’s enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu or (570) 702-8856.